Amendments to the Export Control Rules 2021 have been made.

Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Andrew Metcalfe, said the amendments were a result of the department’s commitment to listening to stakeholder feedback.

“The industry told us what needed to be changed, and we listened,” Mr Metcalfe said.

“The new Export Control Act started at the beginning of 2021, and we said that we would continue to work with stakeholders to make sure that it, and our export systems, remained effective and fit for purpose.

“With these amendments we’ve provided additional clarification where industry indicated that more was needed, supported reforms to the export meat inspection systems in line with industry and government commitments, and improved the regulation of bulk vessels used to export grain and plant products.”

Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Nicola Hinder PSM, said the amendments would benefit exporters while maintaining strong regulation.

“These amendments will help growth and innovation in our export agricultural industries, while maintaining the strong regulation and oversight that our trading partners expect from us – underpinning our reputation for having a world-class export regulatory system,” Ms Hinder said.

“I want to thank everyone who provided feedback to the department on the new legislation, whether as part of the initial review or public consultation.

“And I want to reassure our stakeholders that we will maintain our focus and continue to consult with industry to inform future changes to our agricultural export legislation.”

Fast Facts:

• The new legal framework for agricultural exports, the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control Rules 2021 (the rules) began on 28 March 2021.
• The amendments:
  • address issues raised by stakeholders, or identified by the department
  • support reforms to the export meat inspection systems in line with industry and government commitments (see Export meat modernisation – DAWE)
  • improve regulatory arrangements for inspecting vessels exporting Australian grain
  • change the rules for animals, meat, miscellaneous, organic goods, plant, poultry, rabbit and ratite and wild game.
  • do not change the rules for dairy, eggs, fish and wood.
• To find out more about the changes to each rule, please refer to the department’s website – Improved agricultural export legislation.